People browse Bonnie’s Decorative Painting on the opening day of the Farmer’s Maket on Washington Street Wednesday. Justin Sorensen / NNY Business

Washington Street was filled Wednesday, as the Watertown Farm & Craft Market launched its season in a big way.

Hundreds of people came out for the event, despite lower-than-expected temperatures and steady winds. Linda I. Gibbs, owner of Linda Gibbs Handmade, took the cool in stride, showing off a collection of crocheted scarves, hats and bags in front of City Hall. Her traffic was pretty busy for opening day.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday an award of $1.8 million in federal funds for a state-administered program aimed at providing low-income senior citizens with access to fresh produce at farmers markets across the state.

This year, the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program aims to distribute more than 100,000 booklets — which contain five $4 checks each — to eligible seniors who can use the checks at 470 farmers markets across the state, including eight in Jefferson County, three in Lewis County and 13 in St. Lawrence County.

The program is administered through the state Department of Agriculture and Markets in cooperation with the state Office for the Aging, state Department of Health’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The checks will be issued by county-based Offices for the Aging.

Eligible recipients must be 60 or older and have a gross monthly income at or below 185 percent of federal poverty guidelines:

? $1,772 per month for a one-person household.
? $2,392 per month for a two-person household.
? $3,011 per month for a three-person household.

Seniors 60 and older also are eligible for the program if they are receiving or eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income, public assistance or a Section 8 housing subsidy.

A complete list of farmers markets that will be accepting the checks, categorized by county, is available at http://wdt.me/J9acLU.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays from June 5 to Oct. 23, Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Taste of the Market dates: June 5, June 12, June 19 and June 26. Contact: Lake Placid Center for the Arts, 1 (518) 523-2512 or www.lakeplacidarts.org.

2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays from June 21 to Oct. 4, Jefferson County Bulk Milk Coop and the Cheese Store, outer Arsenal Street, 1.5 miles west off Interstate 81. Includes local crafts and a chicken barbecue. Contact: cheese.store@jeffersonbulkmilk.com.

3 to 6 p.m. Mondays from July 8 to Oct. 7, 203 N. Hamilton St.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from June 15 to Nov. 2, J.B. Wise Place pavilion.

Willsboro

3.30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays from June 13 to Sept. 5, Route 22 across from the old Mountain View restaurant. Contact: Linda Therrien, 1 (518) 963-4383 or franklynnfarms@gmail.com.